Encounters with Equifax

They offer free year of credit monitoring, which only catches things AFTER SOMEONE STEALS YOUR IDENTITY AND OPENS UP ACCOUNTS IN YOUR NAME.

Trying to put on a credit freeze using their website reported that they were “unable to process at this time.”

Trying to go to their consumer Customer Service Center page gave me only a Java server (JSP) error about an IllegalException.

And now Equifax corporate execs are selling their shares in Equifax? I think my opinion of Equifax has me hoping they be up on charges of illegal, criminal negligence.

For contrast, I put in credit freezes at TransUnion and Experian WITH NO PROBLEMS AT ALL.

Update 9/13/2017

They finally let me put in a credit freeze for my wife. It was her info they gave to crackers. So they didn’t charge us for the freeze.

When I tried to put one in for myself, they announced that they couldn’t process it and that I should MAIL them the info (with fee). Is it just me, or is Equifax the LEAST functional of all the credit reporting agencies?

Update 9/15/2017

Equifax finally let me put in a credit freeze. My son-in-law, who works in IT, told me earlier that the Equifax Security site (about the crack) has been known to provide different results depending on what IP you come from, and can be wrong about half the time. So earlier today I rechecked my end of it, and they still were saying “As far as we know, you’re not affected by this.” So tonight I put in a credit freeze on my credit report. They didn’t charge me for it, so I think they’re finally getting the idea …

This market failure isn’t unique to data security. There is little improvement in safety and security in any industry until government steps in. Think of food, pharmaceuticals, cars, airplanes, restaurants, workplace conditions, and flame-retardant pajamas.

Market failures like this can only be solved through government intervention. By regulating the security practices of companies that store our data, and fining companies that fail to comply, governments can raise the cost of insecurity high enough that security becomes a cheaper alternative.

Just put in a credit history freeze, and put up with having to pay a fee when you need to temporarily unfreeze it to get that car loan or mortgage you want.